Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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Two additional thoughts:
In the military, there was -- and probably still is -- a saying, "We never have time to do it right but we always have time to do it over." Experience tells me it almost always cost more -- in terms of time AND money -- in the long run.
Engine-driven mechanical fuel pumps suck, literally and figuratively. The more distance between fuel and engine, the more they suck. Always have and always will.
1970 Explorer Class A on a 1969 Dodge M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. (split year)
1972 Executive Class A on a Dodge M375 chassis with 413 cu. in.
1973 Explorer Class A on a Dodge RM350 (R4) chassis with 318 engine & tranny from 1970 Explorer Class A
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Leeann
Maryland
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Joined: 08/22/2006
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^ Yup, that's why we threw that thing away (installing a block-off plate) and installed electric fuel pumps at each of the tanks, then installed an air hose one-into-three splitter, installed backwards, then a fuel pressure adjuster just after that, then one fuel line to the carb.
We only had one fuel tank, 36 (!) gallons. The Winnie we took the other two tanks from had a tank selector switch, but it was broken, so the electric fuel pumps and 2 toggle switches on the dash were the easiest and cheapest way to be able to switch between tanks while driving. Plus it adds security, because we turn off the pumps when we park and run it out of fuel to the engine on purpose, then leave the switches off. To start it, we turn on whichever pump we're going to use, pump the pedal 3 times and turn the key. Vroom.
As for the carb, our '73 440 has a ThermoQuad. My husband rebuilt it as far as he could, but the adjustment screws were broken off when we got it. So we bought a used one, same model number, and had his brother run it through the ultrasonic cleaner. Now it's time to take it apart and put the rebuild kit in, but we already have that on hand (make sure you get a rebuild kit that doesn't say NOS - new old stock means parts that aren't ethanol-compatible).
As long as he keeps his foot out of it, we get 8-9 mpg when we're fully loaded with gas (36 + 36 + 27 gals) water (30 gals), propane (oh, heck - a large horizontal cylinder), 3 people and food, plus towing a trailer with 2 raceboats and motors and tools.
'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo
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Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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Leeann wrote:As long as he keeps his foot out of it, we get 8-9 mpg when we're fully loaded with gas (36 + 36 + 27 gals) water (30 gals), propane (oh, heck - a large horizontal cylinder), 3 people and food, plus towing a trailer with 2 raceboats and motors and tools.
LMFAO!! Folks, pay attention! If you can't manage better mileage than Leeann, without a toad or heavily loaded trailer or enough gas for most people to drive the Alcan, it's your driving style or someone has a permanently installed siphon hose on your rig.
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RvFNG76
Michigan
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Joined: 07/14/2017
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Griff once again thank you so much for all your help with my families soon to be next home on the road. I've often considered the tbi swap. Now down to brass tacks do you think I could pull a throttle body and intake from a mid to late 80's dodge? As well as maybe swap out the tranny for a 518 4 speed from the same vehicle. The only reason I ask is I have a late eitghties b250 with a 318 do you think it will work or is there too many differences in the intake???
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Leeann
Maryland
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I'm going to respond to the question about the A518.
Don't do it. Not unless you like rebuilding the overdrive unit frequently, that is. The OD unit in our '90 B250 with 360 and A518 exploded. The rest of the trans, basically an A727, was perfectly fine.
Of the 14 Dodge B250 and B350 vans in the junkyard, NOT ONE still had an overdrive unit. Every one was removed, including the three that were pulled and then thrown aside because they, too, were exploded.
If you can find a Gear Vendors overdrive unit for an A727, grab it with both hands, but don't even think about a Dodge OD unit.
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RvFNG76
Michigan
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Right on good thing I asked
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Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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RvFNG76 wrote:Griff once again thank you so much for all your help with my families soon to be next home on the road. I've often considered the tbi swap. Now down to brass tacks do you think I could pull a throttle body and intake from a mid to late 80's dodge? As well as maybe swap out the tranny for a 518 4 speed from the same vehicle. The only reason I ask is I have a late eitghties b250 with a 318 do you think it will work or is there too many differences in the intake???
Leeann already responded well so I'll just add some ...
The main problem with early A518s was substandard lock-up clutch material in the OEM torque converter. It would disintegrate, plug the fluid cooler in the radiator, and the transmission would overheat and burn up. Dodge upgraded the clutch material but it's still not adequate for use in a motorhome. (Some non-Dodge OEM-equivalent torque converters are continuing to use the old material.) There are a few aftermarket A518 torque converters up to the task but they're comparatively expensive.
Regardless, the OEM overdrive unit is not up to the task of a motorhome. It's okay in a sedan or a half-ton pickup or van.
Just about everything between the pump and overrunning clutch in the A518 and A727 is the same and interchangeable. The overdrive unit, in the tail cone of the A518, was not designed and isn't manufactured to the same standards as the A727.
So, Leeann is correct. A Gear Vendors Over/Under unit is the only reasonable way of having overdrive in Dodge-based motorhome.
Because the computer that drives the Dodge fuel injection is also tied to the A518, a swap is not an option.
An aftermarket two-barrel TBI is one option for you. Another option, better in my opinion, is a MPI intake manifold and throttle body. Edelbrock makes one and I think there's another company that makes one, both with favorable reviews and fans in each camp.
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Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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RvFNG76:
TBI -- Throttle Body Injection, one injector in the throttle body. The computer that comes with aftermarket units has to 'average' the eight cylinder when tuning and adjusting the injector.
MPI -- Multi-Port Injection, eight injectors, one in each of the intake manifold runners. The computer that comes with aftermarket units can tune and adjust each injector for the cylinder it serves.
Don't ask how the computers do that unless you want a PhD level course in software engineering and computer programming.
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Griff in Fairbanks
AK
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@Leeann -- rebuild a A518 OD unit?? I assume you seen at least one that didn't damage the tail cone when it blew up???
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Ballenxj
Formerly Southern Nevada, Idaho now
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Joined: 02/03/2003
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Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
So, Leeann is correct. A Gear Vendors Over/Under unit is the only reasonable way of having overdrive in Dodge-based motorhome.
I wonder if there is any way to adapt a 46RE? That's what I have in my 03 Dodge van, and my transmission guys in Vegas tell me it's the same trans they ran behind a Cummings Turbo Diesel. It's an overdrive transmission, and if it'll stand up to the Cummings TD, I'd like to think it might work in a Motorhome. The problem might be compatibility, and wiring? I don't know if the newer bell housings are a match for the older ones? They might have an adapter plate, if not?
Other than that, yes, beware of the older OD transmissions. It was common to take them out of OD in hilly country, as they were not strong.
Downsizing ">
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